It looks like Creed 4 is underway coming off the heels of 2023’s highly successful Creed 3. Deadline reports that producer Irwin Winkler revealed at the Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles event that Creed 4 is happening, and Michael B. Jordan will be back to star and direct once again.
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Jordan took over directing duties for this year’s Creed III, which was another big hit for the franchise. Winkler said at a panel event for Creed 3, “We are planning to do Creed 4 right now. He continued, “We have a really good story [and] a really good plot. We got a little delayed because of the strikes, but about a year from now we’re going into pre-production.”
CREED 4 ON TRACK WITH MICHAEL B. JORDAN RETURNING TO WRITE AND DIRECT
Winkler also confirmed Jordan’s directing duties for the sequel during the event, stating on Jordan, “He will be. He did such a great job — he was comfortable with the camera.” Also, Elizabeth Raposo, who was also on the panel, reportedly added on the third movie, “[We’re] just glad that this one worked and people want to see more.”
Creed 3 was a huge success for United Artists Releasing and MGM. The film grossed $156 million domestically and $275 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing installment of the franchise yet. The first three films have collectively made $663 million worldwide. Critics also largely praised the third film, as it received an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
With that in mind, it makes sense why the studio and producers would want to make another film, even if the third movie felt like a strong, natural ending for Adonis Creed (Jordan) and his family. Nonetheless, it looks like MGM Studios is moving full speed ahead for the fourquel.
In the third movie, Adonis Creed is already moving on to the next stages of his life. He takes more of a manager/promoter role for boxers and has already retired from in-ring action. However, that all changes when his childhood friend Damian “Diamond Dame” Anderson returns to his life. That puts Adonis Creed on a path to return to the ring and don his gloves once again.
It will also be interesting to see if Sylvester Stallone might return as Rocky Balboa for the fourth film. Creed 2 gave an ending of sorts for Rocky as he passed the torch over to Adonis Creed. Then, in the end, Rocky Balboa reunited with his son and met his grandson. It was a happy feel-good ending for Balboa.
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Stallone previously told The Hollywood Reporter about Creed III, “That’s a regretful situation because I know what it could have been. It was taken in a direction that is quite different than I would’ve taken it.” The actor continued, “It’s a different philosophy — Irwin Winkler’s and Michael B. Jordan’s. I wish them well, but I’m much more of a sentimentalist. I like my heroes getting beat up, but I just don’t want them going into that dark space. I just feel people have enough darkness.”
Despite Stallone’s misgivings, the film still did well. Also, the second Creed film was as good of a sendoff as any for the Rocky Balboa. So, it’s not crucial that Rocky comes back for the next movie.
What do you think of the news? Are you happy to hear that Creed 4 is happening? Do you think it’s a great idea? Are you glad Jordan is coming back to direct again? Let us know your thoughts on the news on The Illuminerdi’s social media.
SOURCE: Deadline
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